page_title: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant
section_title: Plot summary
hierarchical_section_title: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant / Plot summary
caption_attribution_description: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant, ending scene, with cast members standing at the back of the theatre as the lights fade.
context_page_description: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant is a satirical musical about Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard, written by Kyle Jarrow from a concept by Alex Timbers, the show's original director. Jarrow based the story of the one-act, one-hour musical on Hubbard's writings and Church of Scientology literature. The musical follows the life of Hubbard as he develops Dianetics and then Scientology. Though the musical pokes fun at Hubbard's science fiction writing and personal beliefs, it has been called a "deadpan presentation" of his life story. Topics explored in the piece include Dianetics, the E-meter, Thetans, and the story of Xenu. The show was originally presented in 2003 in New York City by Les Freres Corbusier, an experimental theater troupe, enjoying sold-out Off-Off-Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Later productions have included Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
  Early in the production of the musical, the president of the Church of Scientology in New York sent a letter to the producer pointing out the Church's history of litigation.
context_section_description: The characters gather on a cold winter night to rejoice in telling the story of L. Ron Hubbard. "Hey! It's a Happy Day!"  A narrator notes: "Today we relate the life of L. Ron Hubbard: Teacher, author, explorer, atomic physicist, nautical engineer, choreographer, horticulturist, and father of Scientology!"  Hubbard is born in a nativity scene, surrounded by parents and barnyard animals, as an angel proclaims, "Billions of years of evolution had climaxed with his birth."  He begins to question the nature of his existence.  He is adrift on a boat in the Pacific Ocean during his service in World War II, when he begins to think about starting a religion.  Hubbard tells his followers about what he has learned through his travels in "Science of the Mind", singing about "the key to being free, the way to be happy".  He tells his followers that during the War "I saw how emotion can make you blind", and he begins to teach his followers about the reactive mind.
  Hubbard thanks the analytical mind (portrayed by two characters) for helping him to find the answers he was searching for, and proclaims: "Thinking rationally is the way to be happy and the key to learning more."  He announces to his followers, "You'll operate with your analytical mind only....  There won't be any emotions to stand in the way of your success."  As Hubbard tells his followers about his new ideas, they each proclaim to him: "You're right!" Hubbard answers: "Of course I'm right!"  Hubbard's followers thank him for teaching them his new ideas: "Now the sun will shine / And the world is fine / We have got the science of the mind."  A Church of Scientology Auditor explains some technical Scientology jargon to new recruits, and the E-meter is described in a puppet show.
  As Hubbard's followers progress in their Scientology teachings, they learn of the story of evil alien prince Xenu.  Celebrity actor characters describe their relationships with Scientology: John Travolta explains how Scientology "fueled his cool"; Kirstie Alley says that it helped her conquer drug addiction "enabling me to star in the fine television series Fat Actress and to promote the quality products of weight loss expert Jenny Craig"; and Tom Cruise interacts with sock-puppet incarnations of his new wife and daughter.  The Internal Revenue Service brings a case against Hubbard, but he is able to defeat the tax charges by brainwashing his accuser.  Celebrities Cruise, Alley and Travolta testify on Hubbard's behalf during the trial.  Skeptics question Hubbard about the Church of Scientology's finances and methods of recruiting and retaining members.  One young boy, left alone on the stage, sings about profound alienation.  The entire company finally comes together to sing the "chilling finale", which includes the refrain: "Just don't ask questions / And everything is clear."
caption: Finale, 2007 Philadelphia production
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